Shou Zi Chew struggled to defuse security concerns about TikTok’s Chinese parent company.
TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, did what he could. Dressed in a crisp blue suit and a light blue tie, the former investment banker began his testimony to the US House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday (23 March) with the story of his own background.
“I’m from Singapore,” Chew told the congressmen and women on the committee. “That’s where I was born, as were my parents, and after serving in Singapore’s military, I moved to the UK to attend college, and then here to the US to attend business school.” His tone was earnest and respectful as he stressed his personal connections to the United States. “I actually met my wife here by the way, she was born just a few miles away from here in Virginia.” He gestured over his shoulder to indicate just how close this was. The underlying message: I am not from China.
However, despite his efforts to distance himself from China, the real reason for his appearance before Congress was to address growing concerns over the Chinese ownership of TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance. These concerns are related to the potential for the Chinese government to access American user data through the platform, which has become a political hot button in the US. Lawmakers have raised alarms about the security risks posed by TikTok’s ties to China, and Chew struggled to offer reassurances during his five-hour grilling by lawmakers.
Throughout the hearing, Chew tried to downplay the security threat posed by TikTok, offering vague assurances that the platform’s data practices were in line with US laws. He highlighted efforts to store US user data within the country and emphasized TikTok’s separation from its parent company, ByteDance. But his explanations did little to sway the skeptical committee members.
The tense exchange underscored the growing unease in Washington about the influence of Chinese technology companies. The Trump administration had already moved to ban TikTok in 2020, citing national security concerns, and the Biden administration has continued to scrutinize the platform.
Chew’s testimony also highlighted the challenges TikTok faces in navigating US-China relations. The platform’s immense popularity among American users, particularly among younger audiences, has made it a target of political debate. As the hearing unfolded, it became clear that the issue of Chinese influence would continue to loom over the platform, making it harder for TikTok to shake its association with Beijing.
Despite his best efforts to defend TikTok’s integrity, Chew’s appearance before Congress did little to alleviate the mounting pressure. The future of TikTok in the US remains uncertain as lawmakers and regulators continue to scrutinize the platform. The hearing was a reminder that the broader geopolitical tensions between the US and China could ultimately determine the fate of one of the most popular social media platforms in the world.
